Bill
Bill > HF2649
IA HF2649
IA HF2649A bill for an act establishing a pilot program that authorizes eligible community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees.(Formerly HSB 533.)
summary
Introduced
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill establishes a pilot program that authorizes eligible community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees. The pilot program is to be administered by the department of education pursuant to rules adopted by the state board of education. The bill establishes requirements related to the rules adopted by the state board of education, including requiring that the rules provide that a community college shall not offer a degree program that leads to a baccalaureate degree unless the community college’s main campus is located at least 50 miles from the main campus of an institution of higher education governed by the state board of regents or the main campus of a private institution of higher education that is already offering the degree program that the community college proposes to offer. In addition, the rules must provide that a community college shall not offer a degree program that leads to a baccalaureate degree unless: the degree program is in certain specified fields; instruction provided in courses within the degree program is not delivered entirely over the internet; and the degree program consists of accredited programs of study or academic majors that lead to jobs that address a high-demand, sustained, and unmet workforce need within the community college region. The bill establishes reporting requirements related to the pilot program. The bill defines “main campus” and “private institution of higher education”.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a pilot program, named the "Removing Education Access Challenges in Higher Education (REACH) Act," allowing eligible community colleges to offer bachelor's degrees, which are four-year degrees, under the administration of the department of education and rules set by the state board of education. To be eligible, a community college's main campus, meaning its primary campus for governance, must be at least 50 miles from the main campus of a state-governed university or a private institution of higher education, defined as an accredited, tax-exempt institution authorized to award degrees, that already offers the same degree program. Furthermore, these bachelor's degree programs must be in specific fields like education, nursing, or information technology, cannot be entirely online, and must lead to jobs addressing a high-demand, sustained, and unmet workforce need within the community college's region, as evidenced by factors like job openings and employer support. Community colleges participating in this pilot program are limited to offering no more than three bachelor's degrees and must submit annual reports to the department of education and the general assembly detailing enrollment, completion rates, workforce outcomes, and financial sustainability, with the general assembly set to review the program's success for potential expansion or modification.
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Other Sponsors (1)
Higher Education (House)
Last Action
Introduced, placed on calendar. H.J. 352. (on 02/19/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF2649 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF2649.html |
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